Hemlock Crossing is another place to find Closed Gentian this time of year. Betsy went along for this walk, and was properly impressed by the Stunningly Beautiful Gentian
"Hemlock Crossing offers 239 acres of woods and wetlands along the Pigeon River. Over six miles of trails meander through bottomland and upland forest, old pine plantations and along the river." Ottawa County Park
Mike and I took a two hour drive to Silver Creek Pathway near Luther in Lake County, Michigan. We started at the Silver Creek State Forest Campground and walked the
~ four mile loop clockwise. This trail runs along the Pine River, it crosses Silver Creek near the trailhead.
Pine River
After participating in a Jog-A-Thon fundraiser for Rosy Mound Elementary School, with my granddaughter, Vivienne, I took myself for a walk across the road at Rosy Mound Natural Area.
"Rosy Mound is a classic Great Lakes dune system including high wooded dunes, foredunes, beach and a dune blowout. A 0.7 mile hiking trail from the parking area to the Lake Michigan shoreline includes 1,000 feet of stairs up and down the dunes and scenic views. A unique shade canopy, dune boardwalk trail and rustic toilets are located near the beach." Ottawa County Park
I found many Autumn Coralroot Orchid that I hadn't seen here before, but they were all done blooming. And yes, in the next couple of days I paid the price for walking up and down all those steps! I did see plants blooming. Mostly asters, goldenrod, and Queen Anne's Lace.
Barry County is one place we find Fringed Gentian blooming. It was a cool and cloudy morning, so most flowers took their time waking up.
Larch, lots of Larch!
